Competition: 2010 World Cup
Teams: 0 Serbia vs Ghana 1
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium - Pretoria
Time: 16:00 Local Time [2:00PM Ghana Time]
Ghana beat ten-man Serbia 1-0 to register Africa’s first win at the on-going FIFA World Cup, South Africa 2010. Striker Asamoah Gyan scored from the penalty spot in the 85th minute to give Ghana all three points from the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
The penalty came after Serbia defender Kumzmanovic handled Andre Ayew’s cross from the left flank.
Refree Hector Baldassi did not hesitate in awarding the spot kick which was neatly tucked away by the in-form Rennes striker.
Four years ago, Asamoah Gyan scored Ghana’s first ever goal at the World Cup when he scored against the Czech Republic.
Ghana dominated the exchanges in the first half with Asamoah Gyan and Prince Tagoe twice coming close to giving the Black Stars the lead.
Defender Isaac Vorsah attracted a yellow card for a foul on Serbian striker Zigic in the first half. Prince Tagoe also went into the referee’s book for persistent fouling in the second half.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac made his first substitution pulling out Kwadwo Asamoah and replacing him with Stephen Appiah in the 75 minute.
Asamoah Gyan who was a handful for the Serbian defence marshaled around the premiership duo of Vidic and Ivanovic, caused Lukovic’s sending off 16 minutes before time when he wrestled Asamoah to the ground.
With Serbia a man down, Ghana pushed for the opener. A ball dropped to the left side of attack was swung in by Dede Ayew with Serbia’s hapless defender Lukovic handling the ball in the box for the tournament’s first penalty.
With only minutes remaining to the end of the match, Kevin-Prince Boateng who made his competitive debut for Ghana was pulled off and replaced with Lee Addy as Milovan moved to consolidate his lead.
He followed up with a final substitution, taking off Asamoah Gyan who hit the upright twice in the second half and brought on Quincy Owusu Abeyie in his stead.
Prince Tagoe could have sealed a convincing win for Ghana but missed narrowly after controlling well with his chest past Nemanja Vidic.
Goalkeeper Richard Kingson who celebrates his 32nd birthday today pulled two saves to keep Ghana ahead to cap a great start to the tournament.
Ghana plays Australia next in Group D on June 19 in Rustenburg.
Line up: Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Hans Adu Sarpei, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Prince Tagoe, Kevin-Prince Boateng/Lee Addy, Asamoah Gyan/Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Kwadwo Asamoah/Stephen Appiah, Andre Ayew
Subs: Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, Rahim Ayew, Jonathan Mensah, Derek Boateng, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Mathew Amoah, Dominic Adiyiah, Stephen Ahorlu